Alexander Buchanan

DONALD CHISHOLM. — I first saw the prisoner with the rebels at Inverness the beginning of April last, and often saw the Duke of Perth’s regiment marching up and down the streets of Inverness; the prisoner along with it as an officer, dressed in highland clothes, and armed with a broadsword, pistols and target. I often saw that regiment reviewed there before the Duke of Perth’s quarters, and at such reviews the prisoner always marched as an officer. Saw him marching at the head of a division of said regiment from Inverness towards Culloden Moor two days before the battle there.

JAMES DRUMMOND. — The latter end of March last, when the rebels were at Inverness, I several times saw prisoner marching along with a party of the Duke of Perth’s regiment down to a green near the water side, where they used to exercise. The prisoner marched with them as an officer and was called the captain, and I have several times seen him with the rest of the officers before the said regiment upon said green, where they exercised, prisoner appearing as an officer, dressed in highland clothes, and armed with sword and target. The day before the battle of Culloden I saw the prisoner standing under arms as an officer in said regiment, which was then drawn out upon Culloden Moor with the rest of the rebel army in lines expecting the Duke of Cumberland.

JAMES PARKER. — Some days after the battle of Falkirk I saw the prisoner with the rebels at Stirling, and he was called a Captain in the Duke of Perth’s regiment both by the officers and common men, dressed and armed as aforesaid. Saw him with the officers and a party of the Duke of Perth’s regiment that changed the guard there, and it was generally reported among the rebels that the prisoner joined their army about the time of the battle of Falkirk.

ROGER MACDONALD. — Whilst the rebels were at Stirling I first saw the prisoner at Mrs. Young’s, a public house there, in company and drinking with some French officers, and witness looked upon him as one who had joined the rebels. Prisoner was dressed in a highland habit, but I cannot recollect whether he carried arms or wore a white cockade.

Capt. EYRE; Lieut. MOORE. — Prisoner gave these gentlemen his name, and rank of a Captain in the Duke of Perth’s regiment.

FOR THE DEFENCE.Mr. GORDON. — An object of pity rather than resentment.

JOHN BUCHANAN, 17 years old. — Witness is a servant to his father, who lives in Perth-shire. In September, 1745, a summons brought by Duke of Perth’s officers and prisoner went, the father not being well. I went with him. Duke of Perth met us — can’t say what he said, butprisoner followed and lagged behind, and made signs to me to go back, and so we did. He said the Duke intended to carry him into rebellion, but he hoped he should not be obliged. Next morning I saw him, and for eight days he kept out, and only came of evenings for victuals, whilst he desired us to stand sentry. The father desired he should keep out of the way. When the rebels left the country he came home. A fortnight after Prestonpans they came back — were surprised by a party two miles off his father’s (Kilnahaig), where they were at Lime Quarry, and went into K — to refresh. Captain Drummond commanded the party (30), and said, “Though you deserted before you are now my prisoner.” They were armed with sword, dirk and pistols, and some guns. Carried him to the church of Calendar, within a mile of my father’s. Father had word sent him and came. They drank, and I was ordered by prisoner to get father’s horse ready, and he escaped and went home, and I behind him. The party were in two alehouses. Sent two servants and horses for father; neither drunk or sober. Did not see him till two days after, but the lads said they brought him off that night. Next day an officer and io came to his father’s and asked his mother for the son. She said “Not at home.” He said he had orders from Duke of Perth to burn houses, destroy cattle, and hang these before their own doors. House searched but not found, for father and son were got to a Burnside by coals (sic). Absconded three days till rebels left the country.

There came again four days after Xmas 40 with officers at daybreak, and brought out prisoner. Had no notice of them. They were armed, and he could not get from them, being surrounded. Prisoner when at Stirling sent word to father that he would give all to get away, and if he did he would not lye at home for quarter year. Desired a message to be sent that father was dangerous, in order to mollify, and get home. I went the next morning with such a message of his being at point of death. He applied for leave, but could not get it. Said he would try to escape, and did get over ferry, but guard carried us back to guard house. I, not being in highland clothes, was let go. They sent prisoner by boat, and told he was apprehended trying to escape. I went in another boat and overtook him, and he bade me tell his father that he would still escape, if opportunity, Was carried to his old quarters, and pushed in, and they took away his arms. This was about 1st February. Used to wear highland clothes. No burning of house or destroying of cattle. Did not offer to apprehend me. The water was narrow. Believes he all the while intended to desert.

MALCOLM MACLISH. — Summons from Duke of Perth. Prisoner hid himself. Taken at Kilnahaig. Threats to burn, &c., for badness of example. Spoke to Mr. Cuming, Sen., after Xmas, about carrying off prisoner; three men and a boy.